THE PROPERTY OF A NOBLE FAMILY

A FINE RUSSIAN SWORD FOR BRAVERY, PRESENTED TO EMIL KARL ADOLF, PRINZ ZU SAYN-WITTGENSTEIN-BERLEBURG (1824-78) BY MANUEL ANTONIO, 11TH MARQUIS OF BEDMAR (1821-1883), DATED 1857

with Spanish slightly curved polished blade double-edged for its last third, the lower portion with rounded edges, pierced with two elaborate scrollwork panels, the surface etched, gilt and blued with further scrolls and the inscriptions 'Au Prince Emile De Sayn / Wittgenstein Berlembourg' and 'Le Marquis de Bedmar', etched and gilt forte inscribed 'Faba de Toledo', dated on one face and with the crowned Spanish Royal arms on the other, gilt-brass triple-bar hilt with drooping quillon, the outer two guards each with inscription 'For Bravery', chased with a band of scrolling foliage around the pommel and integral grip cast and chased in imitation of plaited wire, in its iron scabbard with gilt-brass locket decorated en suite with the pommel and with two bands for suspension (areas of light wear and surface rust)

89.0 cm; 35 in blade

Emil Karl Adolf, Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg was born in Darmstadt, 21st April 1824. He was the eldest son of Franziska Allesina von Schweitzer and General August Ludwig Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg who distinguished himself in the battles of Aspern-Essling, fought alongside Napoleon as commander of the First Battalion of the Life Guards Brigade in the war with Russia (1812-1813).

Prinz Emil was educated at the Gymnasium in Darmstadt before joining the großherzoglichen Garde-Chevaulegersregimente as second Lieutenant in 1841. After he attended the campaign against Denmark in 1848 he was retired because of his conservative views and so looked to Russia where he had already fought in the Caucasus three years earlier in 1845. He returned there, fighting in the Caucasus until 1852, and later proved himself an able officer in the Russian campaign in Central Asia following the Crimean War. In 1865 he married Princess Cantacuzeno with whom he lived in Italy until he was called to fight the Polish uprising of 1865. He later joined the Tsar's entourage and fought with him on the Danube against the Turkish uprising but was forced to return to Germany due to ill health and died in Egern, Tegernsee on 16th September 1878.

Manuel Antonio, 11th Marquis of Bedmar (1821-1883), was a Spanish diplomat and politician for Gerona in the Moderate Party for which he became deputy. During the revolution he was loyal to the crown and later supported the restoration. He was ambassador to Russia during the reign of Alfonso XII.

This sword was almost certainly awarded to Prince Emil Karl Adolf, Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg at the end of his campaign in the Central Asia.